PENDER COUNTY — According to Pender County officials, an elementary school’s preschool and kindergarten areas are being cleaned, treated and tested for mold before opening to students next week.
A professional cleaning team is being brought in to clean rooms impacted by possible mold growth at C.F. Pope Elementary School, with carpets removed in affected areas and hand-cleaning of surfaces taking place.
According to a release from the district, some classrooms experienced recent potential mold-like growth, due to the HVAC system being temporarily shut down as part of planned school improvements to the school’s AC and heating systems.
Air quality testing will be conducted on Wednesday, Aug. 18, by a third party company, after cleaning has taken place, with results anticipated in 24 hours. All affected rooms will not be used until the cleaning and testing process is complete and the district has received results.
C.F. Pope has an open house planned for Thursday, Aug. 20, which the district said is continuing as planned, as results are anticipated the day before.
Students are scheduled to return to school on Monday, Aug. 24.
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